Leatherman - everyone should have one

After breaking 3 leatherman tools and yes they have repaired the one I returned,I tried the victorinox pictured above.Far better design and quality than the leatherman at half the price,agree with all the comments made by Omaroo.

Agreed, mostly. I didnt take my purchase lightly, in fact it was the wave vs the exact victorinox you have a photo of. I spent an hour or maybe a day deciding because at the time money was a big issue. I cant remember but I think the victorinox was very similar priced. Anyway at the time this is how I made my decision (both have the smooth handles so when you apply pressure it feels good, the wave was the first LM to have this unlike the old ones which hurt)

vicrtorinox leatherman
+ all implements and blades lock - only the main blades lock
- blunt plyer nose (but stonger) + thin needlenose plyers
+ measurement indicator on handle - no measurements
- no sissors ( i think from memory) + sissors
+ made in europe with precision - USA could be rushed to market

I chose the LM in the end because of 2 reasons, the needle nose plyers come in so handy, it had sissors and it has a magnificent main blade whereas the VX was a plain looking smaller main blade. Your right the VX is very good but I dont think my choice has holes.

My new leatherman has all locking baldes like the VX and a much better tool kit. I suppose the metal could be less quality but seriously this new wave is very nice. I have not seen the new VX to compare it to tho.

www.leatherman.com.au/

also a big big selling point for me was the LM's 4 main blades open when it is closed, the VX is a pain as you have to open the thing up to get at the blades, this is slow and then while you use the blade the plyers are hanging out the other side. I think the LM is more innovative in general, but i still uphold your quality issue.

The victorinox has the blades open when the tool is closed also,either tool is damn expensive when they get lost.........like my last leatherman.

Looking at the new "Spirit" version, it looks even better...



SWISS TOOL Spirit comes from the same manufacturer that produced the original «Swiss Army Knife» - the world's most famous multi-tool - over 100 years ago. The sturdy SwissTool has also been very well received among experts since 1999, since it is particularly functional, versatile and easy-to-use. Its successor, the
Spirit, is more ergonomic and more elegant, weighs just 205 g compared to 285 g.

Download 680kb
1. needlenose pliers
2. screwdriver 2 mm
3. screwdriver 3 mm
4. wire cutter for thin and soft
wire up to 40 HRc
5. cap lifter
6. screwdriver 6 mm
7. crate opener
8. combi-edge blade
9. scissors
10. metal file
11. metal saw
12. wood saw
13. reamer and punch
14. Phillips screwdriver 1+2
15. chisel /scraper
16. cable cover cutter lengthwise
17. wire bender
18. wire stripper and scraper
19. cable cover cutter circular
20. can opener
21. multi purpose hook
22. leather or Nylon pouch
23. coupling for corkscrew
24. hard wire cutter
25. lanyard hole
26. ten individual springs
27. lock release 28. case
29. bit wrench
30. – bit Hex 3
31. – bit Hex 4
32. – bit Phillips 0
33. – bit Phillips 3
34. – bit Torx 10
35. – bit Torx 15
36. space for additional bits
37. mini-screwdriver ( pat.)
38. corkscrew
39. ratchet (30 Nm)
( instead of bit wrench)

MMMMMMM That looks good to a gadget guy, I have a LM wave and its great too but I got it mainly cause it had scissors and the original LM I had didnt have them and I missed them from my original Victorinox knife I carried for 15 years but but but that SPIRIT looks schmick, I might have to get one o them when I am in Switzerland in July.......................

putting an MP3 is bullcrap. but the will probably sell more anyway!

The swiss "jobbie" was $130 with a torch thrown in and a comparable leatherman "jobbie" was well over 200 ouch dollars I cannot remember the exact price.

I've got an SOG which is similar, but stronger than the Leatherman. I used to use it to adjust my headset on the plane (nylock nuts come loose believe it or not). Tried getting through security and they took it off me. I managed to get it looked after till the end of my shift, so I got it back.

The downside is I now have to get a Conehead down from the hangar for a menial job, when he could be doing something better...

maybe you got my one!

Are you a General Practitioner?

You don't want to know about the 'sweeteners' that large pharmaceutical companies give to doctors who prescribe their brand of drug over a rival brand.

Yep.
I get pens, post it notes, pencil torches, travel clocks, plastic plates, pedometers - all sorts of knick knacks. Would much rather be in big business and get to go to sporting events, marlin fishing, trips overseas - people who built our pool got a trip to South America from their supplier...

people who built our pool................................... must be a GP hehehehe

The bloke who fills the puddle in our back yard made the world!

Yeh Bonz - I know him - he made me so that I can piddle in the back yard standing up too.

Glad you don't check my prostate Andrew, be with a Leatherman!

Andrew, my old man's company takes some gp's on fishing trips etc if they prescribe a certain amount of his medication. i'm assuming the gp's prescibe them because the patient needs the medicine, not because they want to boost their stats to get a free fishing trip.

Understand completely Darren... I'm on $14.99 Jackaroo multi-tool number 6 simply 'cause I keep misplacing the damn things... That would be a lot of $$$$ worth of Leatherman's...

I originally got a $15 jobbie from jaycar a very long time ago. the thing was so damn handy and i used it so much that when i broke it I was very well justified to spend more cash for a good one.

Mine came free with a magazine but I don't buy the mag now.

there is a harrison ford movie where a commando gets a guy in the neck in the jungle with a wave, is there anything thay cant do?? Funny I used to take it in the cabin with me on planes all the time, I tried again after all the changes and no way in hell!!

>The next best thing to a flick knife.

Yep. I don't have a Leatherman but a lock knife with a 4" blade and a small knob on the blade so I can thumb the blade slightly open and with a flick of the wrist lock it into position with one hand - in practice it's no different to the spring loaded switchblade I owned in Europe years ago. It has a spring belt clip on it and always lives on my belt when I go bush. I tend to forget it's there and the last time I went into the High Country wandered around my local shopping centre with it on my belt as I was buying last minute food on the way and given the new knife laws in Vic that could get me into trouble.

Mike Harding

G'day Sand Man,

yep, I've got that collector too. She's a beaut. It's on my rig list along with my Spydercos, love my blades and they get well used. Reckon you'd enjoy a Spyderco, the patented large hole design allows the same "pull out and flick open" motion, very quick and I just love hearing that sound when the steel locks in.